assize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Historical / Legal / Formal
Quick answer
What does “assize” mean?
a legal session held periodically in former times in each county of England and Wales for the trial of civil and criminal cases by judges traveling on circuit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a legal session held periodically in former times in each county of England and Wales for the trial of civil and criminal cases by judges traveling on circuit.
Historically, it refers to the court or sittings; by extension, it can mean a statutory regulation, decree, or standard (e.g., an 'assize of bread' meant a fixed price or measure).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British historical term. In American English, it is almost exclusively encountered in historical or academic texts about English law.
Connotations
UK: Historical legal institution, local history. US: Foreign/English legal history, esoteric.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, slightly higher in UK due to local history and place names (e.g., 'Assize Courts').
Grammar
How to Use “assize” in a Sentence
The [PLACE] assizes were held in [LOCATION].The judge went on [POSSESSIVE] circuit to hold the assizes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “assize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Archaic] The bread was assized to ensure fair measure.
American English
- [Archaic] The ordinance assized the maximum price for grain.
adverb
British English
- [None standard]
American English
- [None standard]
adjective
British English
- [None standard]
American English
- [None standard]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical and legal studies discussing medieval or early modern English judicial systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Specific term in English legal history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “assize”
- Using it as a verb (to assize). The verb exists but is archaic. Confusing it with 'appraise' or 'assess'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the assize courts were abolished in England and Wales by the Courts Act 1971. Their functions were transferred to the Crown Court.
Yes, historically it referred to ordinances or standards, like the 'assize of bread' which regulated its price and weight. This is now obsolete.
It is pronounced /əˈsaɪz/, with the stress on the second syllable, rhyming with 'surprise'.
Not directly. The circuit riding of judges in early American history is a parallel, but the specific term 'assizes' is uniquely English/Welsh.
a legal session held periodically in former times in each county of England and Wales for the trial of civil and criminal cases by judges traveling on circuit.
Assize is usually historical / legal / formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The last assize (meaning the Final Judgement).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A SIZe of justice – assizes set the standard (size) for law in each county.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A MEASURE (as in 'assize of bread'). JUDGEMENT IS A SITTING.
Practice
Quiz
In modern usage, 'assize' is most likely to be encountered: